Creating an Opioid Recommendation Card for Trainees: Methods, Use, and Impact.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pain Management
• Surgical Practice

Background:

• Surgical residents in academic hospitals manage most postoperative prescriptions but receive limited training in analgesia.
• This lack of training contributes to inconsistent practices and overprescribing of opioids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an opioid guideline pocket card for surgical residents.
• To standardize postoperative opioid prescribing and improve patient care.

Main Methods:

• A literature review and expert consensus informed the creation of an evidence-based pocket guideline.
• The card included procedure-specific recommendations, discharge guidelines, non-opioid options, and safety information.
• General Surgery residents received the card, and their usage was assessed via survey.

Main Results:

• 72.9% of residents responded to the survey, with 58% using the card regularly.
• Junior residents showed high utilization, with 70.4% using it at least monthly.
• 81.6% of residents altered their prescribing habits, and 89.8% supported continued distribution.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based guideline pocket card is a valuable tool for surgical trainees.
• The card effectively influences postoperative analgesia prescribing, especially among junior residents.